Tractor Boys run riot in late late show
READING’S bid for safety will go to the wire after they fell to a miserable defeat at home to Ipswich.
Although the Royals dominated much of the game they missed a series of chances that allowed mid-table Ipswich to strike four times in the second half.
Martyn Waghorn broke the deadlock 19 minutes from time with Jordan Spence adding a second eight minutes later.
Substitute Freddie Sears and Callum Connolly made it 4-0 with a goal apiece in stoppage time.
Reading boss Paul Clement labelled his team’s display as “shameful, embarrassing and completely unacceptable”.
“At the end, we got what we deserved,” he said.
“It was shameful and embarrassing from the point where Ipswich got their first goal to the end of the game.
“It was completely unacceptable and I’m very disappointed and sorry for our fans.”
Having picked up his first win in three attempts, caretaker Ipswich boss Bryan Klug said: “That was for everyone involved in our club, right through the staff to the players.
“It would have been easy for the group to come here and play as if it didn’t matter.
“But their display is testimony to all the things that have been instilled in them over the years.”
The home side made a bright start to the second half, with John Swift seeing a firm shot deflected wide for a corner.
From Aluko’s set-piece, Bodvarsson’s clever near-post flick was smartly saved on the line by Ipswich keeper Bartosz Bialkowski, who then saved superbly from Swift before the away side went ahead against the run of play in the 71st minute.
A quick break led to Spence releasing Waghorn, who tucked home his 15th goal of the season from close range.
Spence then cut in from the left-hand side to beat Mannone at his near post, Sears charged down a Mannone clearance to make it 3-0 and Connolly completed the rout after charging through unchallenged.